Infrastructure

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey last week got a reprieve in what could prove a lengthy dispute over the Federal Aviation Administration's proposed auctioning of two flight slots at Newark Liberty Airport.

The Arizona Supreme Court last week upheld a lower court’s determination that not enough valid signatures were obtained on petitions seeking a statewide referendum on an increase in the sales tax to fund a proposed transportation effort.

Capital Metro hoped to begin its Leander-to-Austin commuter train service by late fall, but officials said last week that two of the planned nine train stations will not be ready until February or March 2009.

DALLAS - The Texas Department of Transportation begins its fiscal year this week with new leadership, a record $8.3 billion budget, and $1.5 billion of newly mandated bonds amid a challenging political environment.

DALLAS - The Tulsa City Council reversed its earlier approval of a 12-year, $2 billion street improvement plan and decided instead to send a five-year, $451.6 million program to the voters in November.

A 10% fare increase on the PATCO light-rail line and toll increases on Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey bridges are set to go into effect later this month as Gov. Jon Corzine last week announced that he will not overturn the authority's decision to boost fares and bridge tolls.

Massachusetts may be heading closer to a settlement agreement with Bank of America Corp., as the bank agreed to redeem $43 million of auction-rate securities owned by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership.

There will be one more big public hearing to praise or criticize plans to build a 16-mile toll highway in Orange County.

DALLAS - Galveston County, Tex., will improve roads and consolidate administrative offices into renovated facilities if voters approve a $135 million general obligation bond package in November.

Fitch Ratings this week placed its low investment-grade rating for Missouri's Lake of Ozarks Community Bridge Corp. on negative watch due to a downturn in bridge traffic this year and management's unwillingness to raise tolls.